Brisbane transport: Leaked report reveals public transport shake-up

Fifteen public transport fare zones may be scrapped, along with the free travel after nine journeys scheme, under the Palaszczuk government's fare review, the opposition claims, having been leaked the report before Labor was ready to release it to the public.

Set up under then public transport minister Jackie Trad in August, the review, undertaken by a handpicked taskforce, was to "form the basis of a new fare strategy" in south-east Queensland.

South east Queensland fare zones will be reduced from 23 to eight claims the Opposition after receiving a leaked report Photo: Michelle Smith

Fairfax Media understands it was to be released earlier this week, but was shelved for a later date.

Shadow Transport Minister Scott Emerson claims he knows why, releasing a statement detailing some aspects of the report, including claims it will recommend reducing the number of fare zones from 23 to eight and scrap the free travel after nine journeys scheme.

"While commuters from zones one and two could win under the plan, zone three would be hit with an extra $250 a year, while commuting from the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast will also be more expensive," he said.

"To top it off, almost 80,000 commuters would lose access to the free trips they currently get under the 'free after nine' scheme."

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Mr Emerson said other recommendations he had seen included increasing the off-peak discount from 20 per cent to 30 per cent and allowing half-price fares for those on welfare and refugees.

However, Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Mr Emerson was "chasing the wrong bus and Segway-ing from the facts".

"When it comes to public transport fares the LNP are the only ones doing the dodging and evading the truth.

"Our plan is to deliver fairer fares, and I encourage Mr Emerson to get on board."

Fairfax Media has not seen the report.

It's not the first time the government has been blindsided from a leak from within its departments, with Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle scoring some hits following tips he received from a "little birdie", while Treasurer Curtis Pitt said he would be "asking some questions" after elements of Labor's first budget appeared to be leaked to the LNP.